Thursday, December 8, 2011

Hoiday Gift Guide

The holidays are upon us and I have started accumulating gifts for my friends and family. Some years buying gifts is easy and other years I struggle with it. My own list of wants usually contains 90% cooking items and then a few other random things. I have received a lot of wonderful gifts over the years from friends and family and wanted to share some items that might make great gifts for the foodies in your life.

One year I received this book which is a fabulous, unique, interesting book for anyone who likes to learn about food and who likes to read. It discusses all the different regions of France and what food and wine originates from each one. There are wonderful pictures and it is one of those coffee table books that will actually get read. It comes in hardback or paperback.

If your friend drinks, a high quality muddler may inspire drink creativity. The obvious upside being that when you visit them, there is a higher likelihood that you will have a mojito served to you.

A salt pig. A friend sent me a salt pig as a house warming present. I must admit I wasn't sure I would use it but it sits next to my stove full of kosher salt and I love it and use it several times a day.

Specialty salt. I know some chefs believe you should choose one type of salt, get used to it and use it religiously in the kitchen. I just can't adhere to that. I love the huge, pink flakes of my murray river salt. It looks like pink snow and a light sprinkle gives amazing flavor bursts.

Individual serving pans, especially this time of year, would make any chef happy. My collection of different sized dishes have been expanding. I use them all without fail for chicken pot pies, creme brulee, french onion soup and other things.

And last but not least, anything you made yourself. I have received jars of pickles and jam, cookies and crackers, bread and chocolates. If your friend loves food, they will revel in a homemade gift!

Thank you for visiting Salt on the Table; my name is Sonia and I am the author. This blog chronicles the portion of my life that is devoted to food and what inspires me in the kitchen. The recipes I create, cookbooks I read, restaurants I visit, food I encounter on my travels, as well as some occasional musings on food.